Reds may now have to look elsewhere for a creative influence next season.

Liverpool look like missing out on their number one transfer target of the summer after it emerged that coveted Ajax midfield player Christian Eriksen wants to join Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund instead, says the Sun.

The Reds have been keeping close tabs on the highly-rated Denmark international all season long, with new head coach Brendan Rodgers believed to be hopeful of tying up a deal for the Denmark international as soon as the summer transfer window reopened on 1 June.

Eriksen, 21, has a contract with the newly-crowned Eredivisie champions that runs only until 30 June 2014 and so the Amsterdam club are understood to want to sell the playmaker at the end of this season rather than risk losing him on a free next year.

However, it now appears as though Eriksen has his heart set on a move to the Uefa Champions League finalists rather than to Anfield instead, saying of the German outfit: “Dortmund are a club where I would like to play.

“I think I would be a good fit there with the football there. Dortmund play nice, attacking football.

“The Bundesliga has never really been my preferred choice and a few years ago I would not even have considered it, but now I do.

“The competition is getting stronger and it is no coincidence the two Champions League finalists are German clubs.

“I know there has been contact between the two clubs, and both Ajax and Dortmund have already talked to my agent.

“I will consider all the clubs and quietly make a decision. I want clarity when preparing for the new season, that’s the best thing – for everyone.”

Eriksen has recorded an impressive 30 goals and 57 assists in just 156 matches in all competitions since beginning his career with Ajax in 2009.